Mortgage or Super?

WA and Queensland have the worst gender gap in superannuation savings while the Northern Territory tops the country, research shows.

The best and worst Australian States and Territories for superannuation differences between men and women have been revealed, though advocates say the figures are “unfortunate” all-around.

The study, commissioned by Women in Super, is based on an analysis of four million account balances by Rice Warner, which found the average super balance for women in WA was $84,000 compared with $132,000 for men.

This means the superannuation divide in WA sits at 39 per cent, followed by Queensland at 34 per cent.

The Northern Territory has the smallest gap at 16 per cent, followed by the ACT (20 per cent) and NSW (26 per cent).

Women in Super national chairwoman Cate Wood said it was unfortunate to see the gap so high.

“Better policy is needed if we are to make a difference to the retirement outcomes of all Australian women,” she said following the study’s release this week.

The reasons for the disparity are varied, with Ms Wood citing the gender pay gap and dominance of women in part-time roles with less time in work as they raise children and care for family.

Some of the measures proposed to close the divide include abolishing the $450 monthly income threshold for compulsory super payments and compulsory super payments on paid parental leave.